ust wait, it will not
take me long."

"Very well, then, mother. While you're getting it ready I will look
after the car. And, say, could you let me have some money to-morrow?
I had only a little with me in the city, and besides having the car
fixed, I had to get a new tire. I got it charged, promising to send
the money as soon as I got home. I guess to-morrow will do, as I have
not time to-night."

What Mrs. Hampton said in reply she did not know. Her brain was in a
tumult as she made her way into the kitchen. How could she explain?
What should she say? John knew about the one hundred dollars they had
in the house, and what reason could she give for spending it? And he
wanted it the next day!

When supper was ready she called John and tried to be as bright and
cheerful as possible as they both sat down to the table. It was a cosy
dining-room, and through the open window drifted the delicate fragrance
of field and garden. But Mrs. Hampton was oblivious to this now.
Amidst scenes of peace and beauty she was living in a world of misery,
for a heavy heart makes the most beautiful surroundings a wretched
mockery.

John was in excellent spirits and ate heartily. So intent was he upon
his own affairs that he did not notice Mrs. Hampton's absent-mindedness.

"I may be away all night, mother," he told her, "so do not be uneasy.
In fact, I might not be home until to-morrow night. You can get along,
can you not? I know it isn't fair to leave you all the work to do, but
I shall make up for it when I come back."

"It must be very important business, John, that will keep you at the
quarry so long. Is it a secret?"

"It is for the present. There is a surprise in store for you." The
young man's face coloured as he spoke, and this the woman silently
noted.

"Agreeable?" she asked.

"I hope so. Just you wait." His boyish laugh rang out as he rose from
the table. He suddenly ceased, however, and turned to his mother.

"Oh, about that money order! It must go to-morrow. If I should not be
back in time, would you mind sending it? But, no, perhaps I had better
take the money with me now, and get it at the store on my way to the
quarry. There will be time, and I don't want to give you all the
trouble. You will have enough to do without anything extra."

"No, no, John, it won't trouble me one bit," Mrs. Hampton hastened to
assure him. "I have to go to the store in the morning, and can get the
money order